Trauma has a powerful way of sticking with us because our basic survival instincts are designed to remember what once threatened our existence (and to help us avoid repeating it). As a result, trauma often becomes the dominant narrative we carry, shaping how we understand ourselves and influencing our identity from the inside out. That’s part of what makes trauma so difficult to let go of: it doesn’t just live in the past; it can embed itself in the very fabric of who we are.

In therapy, focusing on narrative and meaning can offer a gentler path forward. Through careful exploration, we can examine identity patterns, understand our trauma responses, and develop accountability to uncover the broader story of who we are and who we want to become.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy helps people take an active role in owning and sharing their story, using empowering language to reshape how they understand their experiences. Rather than defining someone by what happened to them, it works by separating a person from their lived experiences so they can relate to their problems without being consumed by them. People are able to re-author their narratives and re-establish their experiences in the here-and-now. Over time, clients come to recognize how the language they use shapes both identity and day-to-day life.

In sessions, we’ll begin by understanding your unique story from the beginning. I’ll pay close attention to the words and tone you use to better understand the narrative as you experience it. Once that foundation is in place, I’ll support you in learning to externalize the story from your identity, so the problem feels distinct from who you are at your core. This shift can help reduce negative self-talk, strengthen your inner voice, and make room for new meaning. We can deconstruct the problematic elements of your story into smaller, more manageable parts, allowing you to explore details with curiosity and insight and gradually rewrite the narrative in a healthier way. Finally, you’ll re-author your story in the way you want to tell it, including adopting a more balanced understanding of what happened and what it means to you. Narrative therapy can be helpful for many mental health concerns, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and complex grief.

Existential Therapy

Many people today are experiencing a deeper sense of uncertainty and disconnection. Rapid technological change, global conflict, social isolation, and questions about identity can leave us feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where we fit in the world.i’m here to offer a space to explore these concerns with honesty, curiosity, and compassion.

Existential therapy focuses on freedom, personal responsibility, authenticity, and the search for meaning. Together, we’ll explore the beliefs, choices, relationships, and experiences that shape your life and sense of self. This approach can help you better understand who you are, what matters most to you, and how you want to move forward with intention. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, well examine the deeper questions beneath anxiety, depression, life transitions, or feelings of emptiness. It can be especially helpful for people who feel stuck, disconnected, uncertain about their direction, or overwhelmed by the pressure to “have it all figured out.”

In our work together, we may explore themes such as:

• Meaning and purpose

• Identity and authenticity

• Freedom and responsibility

• Relationships and connection

• Creativity and passion

• Fear and uncertainty

This approach can help you develop greater self-awareness, reduce existential anxiety, and create a life that feels more aligned with your values. Our conversations will move at a pace that feels supportive and manageable. At times, we may explore past experiences to better understand the choices, patterns, and beliefs that have shaped your life. Difficult emotions and memories can arise during this process, and I’ll work alongside you with care, patience, and respect as we navigate them together. The goal is not to tell you who to be, but to help you connect more deeply with yourself, your values, and the life you want to create.